Random Snippet from an on-line conversation with a LinkedIn newcomer.

I get a lot of questions from clients or from my connections about how to use LinkedIn effectively or even how to use any Social Media platform to attract clients. Here is a (reasonably) short answer I gave to one such person.

This is icon for social networking website. This is part of Open Icon Library’s webpage icon package. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is Not A Magic Bullet!

As for Social Media advice, I am happy to provide it. I share much of Melonie Dodaro’s stuff. You can find her in my connections. She will be speaking in Toronto this summer so maybe you could take in one of her seminars there. http://topdogsocialmedia.com/
Feel free to browse my connections for Social Media experts because I am connected to some of the best in the field. You can self educate very quickly by following them and reading their articles. I started out knowing zip about LinkedIn and 3 years later I now make a living out of teaching others how to use it (Go figure).
In practice it is just a digital representation of “working the room”. Behave in Social Media just as you would at a Chamber of Commerce Meeting. You don’t say “Hi I’m name, want to buy a Widget?” do you? You take time to get to know the person. You chit chat. You ask them questions about themselves and their business. You try to ascertain if there are areas of common ground. Be yourself! Engage people in meaningful conversation.
So the trick to promoting yourself through social media is not to blast out a series of specials and promos and ads but to post useful content that is educational or helpful. For every 9 times you do that you have “Earned the right” to put out 1 self promoting statement.
People do business with people who they know, like and trust so engage with your connections on a personal level. It will pay off in the long run. Social Media is not a silver bullet but it is a Tsunami that is sweeping business. You are either surfing on top of the wave or it will drown you.
That’s enough gratuitous advice for now. I’ll stop before this turns into a full-fledged blog post.

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Richard Lindfield is a Business Coach specializing in Business Planning, Business Management, LinkedIn Basic Training, LinkedIn Company Page Development, Social Media Marketing Strategies and much more.

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2 responses to “LinkedIn for Beginners”

Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I discovered a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab within and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I understand this really is entirely off topic but I needed to tell someone!

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The Fraser Valley Training Group Provides Business Coaching and Training, Life Skills Training, LinkedIn Training, Marketing, Branding, Social Media Marketing, Business Planning and Job Search Skills in and around the Fraser Valley area of British Columbia